"Because life is uncertain and your heart is greater than your stubbornness. You'll not let Kadar go back to Balkir without a last good-bye."
She met Tarik's gaze and then looked away. "You don't know me as well as you think."
Tarik smiled as he saw Selene approaching. "You could not resist."
She didn't look at him but at Kadar going through the gates. "Only because I had nothing better to do. It's not as if he goes into danger. Balkir knows better than to harm Kadar. Nasim would kill him."
"And so would you." Tarik's gaze followed hers. "You love him. Why do you fight it so?"
"I will not love him. He lied to me. He was going to leave me. He cared nothing for his promise. And you know nothing about me. You cannot know how I feel."
"I know that sometimes the excuses we seize not to do things are not what really move us."
"It's not an excuse."
"I believe it is. Your instinct is not to run but to fight. So why are you not fighting for Kadar? Fear?"
"Why should I be afraid?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. You may fear to love him too much. You have an idea what he is and perhaps you sense what he may become. Your instincts are correct. He is in great danger."
She felt a stirring of panic. "Don't be foolish. Kadar is too clever. Nasim will not have him."
"Not Nasim. Me."
She gazed at him in surprise. "You? You will not hurt him. I'm not blind. You like Kadar."
"We have a great bond. That will not prevent me from doing him the greatest damage any human can do to another." His lips twisted. "The temptation is too great."
"Why are you telling me this?" she whispered.
"Because muddled thinking causes waste and unhappiness. I speak as one who knows. I would not have lost Layla if I'd been able to see truth instead of my own pain. Even now I'm still not sure . . . I like you, Selene. I don't want you to make the same mistake."
"What difference does it make what I feel or do if you intend to destroy Kadar anyway?"
"Love always makes a difference. We have to grab it and hold on until the last moment."
Last moment. A chill iced through her at the words. He was talking about Kadar's last moment. "I'm going to tell him what you've said about hurting him."
"I don't doubt it, but he won't be surprised. Kadar and I understand each other." He paused. "And he also understands that sometimes destiny forces us all to do what we have to do just to survive." He smiled sadly. "I often see myself in Kadar."
"He's not like you. He would not kill you for any reason." She whirled on him. "We will leave here. I won't let you do it."
"He won't go. He may send you, but he won't go himself. He hears the call."
Her chill increased as she remembered that night before Kadar had come to the castle. "What call?"
"Curiosity. Fate. Who knows what calls a man? But he hears it."
"It's not true."
"Ah, I believe you know it is." His gaze went to Kadar, who was now nearing Balkir's tent. "If you would permit yourself, you would hear it too."
"I'll never permit myself to indulge in such foolishness."
"Never is a long time, Selene."
Chapter 9.
